Discord is quickly becoming one of the best group conversation apps for iPhone. At a time when more people are looking for a way to communicate remotely, it’s emerging as a real contender in a crowded market.
As with many pieces of technology, though, learning Discord can be a complicated process. In fact, we wouldn’t be surprised to learn that many choose to ignore the value of the service because they don’t want to go through the process of learning it.
As it turns out, though, learning Discord isn’t that hard. While there is quite a bit about the service to learn if you want to master it, this guide will at least help you get started.
What is Discord?
Discord is an online chat client that describes itself as “the easiest way to communicate over voice, video, and text.” In that sense, it’s somewhat similar to popular services such as Zoom.
It initially made a name for itself as the preferred communication method between gamers. Because the service supports non-intrusive group voice chat, it was easy for gamers to use it to chat while playing.
Recently, though, Discord revealed that they intend to move beyond gaming. While that’s largely a branding issue, it does mean that Discord will soon be easier than ever to use.
Why Should You Use Discord?
Discord features a few benefits that its competitors can’t quite boast. However, its best attribute is its group chat features.
Discord makes it incredibly easy to set-up “rooms” for group video, text, or voice chat. It’s somewhat similar to Slack in that sense, but it is really all about creating communities. In fact, many companies and websites have set up Discords that run 24/7 for fans to join whenever they feel like it.
Because Discord is always available and lets you bounce between communication options freely, it’s become the preferred way for many groups to set up a persistent virtual chat space for themselves. It also tends to be a little less resource-intensive, which makes it particularly appealing to mobile users.
In short, Discord combines the features of Slack and Zoom with the community benefits of a smaller forum. It supports large groups but offers a more intimate form of conversation.
How do You Download and Install Discord for iPhone?
Like any other iPhone app, you can download Discord via the Apple app store.
Once you’ve downloaded the app, you’ll have to follow these instructions in order to complete the installation process:
- Launch the Discord app.
- Create an account if you don’t already have one. This will require you to have a valid email address. You’ll also be asked to create a username and password for your account.
- From here, you should be able to follow the on-screen prompts in order to complete your registration. Once you’ve verified your information via an email the app will send, you should be ready to begin using the service.
Please note that while Discord offers a premium account option (Discord Nitro), it’s not strictly necessary. The premium service’s main features include expanded file size uploads, HD video options, and a variety of cosmetic features.
Unless you regularly use Discord (or plan to do so immediately) you probably won’t need to invest in the service’s premium option.
How Do You Use Discord on iPhone?
Discord offers quite a few features for you to explore and enjoy. Instead of breaking down all of them, we’ll offer a basic breakdown of what to do once you’ve installed Discord.
Add Friends
Users on Discord are assigned a unique code. In order to add friends to your account, you’ll need to request their account code. Once you have it, you can tap on the “Add Friends” button and enter the code. You should now be able to interact with them however you see fit.
Join a Server
Do you know about an existing Discord server that you’d like to be a part of? You’ll need to request that server’s code. Once you have it, tap the “three lines” button on the top left of the app. Now, tap the “+” sign. Here, you should have the option to “Join a Server.” Tap that, and enter the code or URL for the server you wish to join. Tap “Next,” and you should be presented with an option to join the server.
Create a Server
Want to create your own Discord server? Simply tap the “three lines” button on the top left. From there, tap the “+” sign. Choose “Create a New Server” when that option appears, and type what you’d like to name your server.
After choosing a region for your server, select the “Create” option. Grant Discord permission to access your microphone (if you wish), and you should be presented with an option to share your server link with other users.
Create a Channel
Discord allows you to divide a server into “channels” for various topics. Joining an existing channel is as easy as tapping on the channel’s name. Creating a new channel requires you to have permission to do so within a server.
Once you have that, you’ll need to enter the server you want to create a channel in. Tap the server’s icon, and you should see the option to create a text or voice channel. Tap the “+” sign next to your preferred option.
From there, you should be prompted to name your new channel. Finally, tap “Create” in the top right, and anyone who has access to that server should be able to enter the newly created channel.
